Materials Engineers Salary in California
Materials Engineers in California earn a median of $128,470 a year, +14% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $128,470
- vs. U.S. median
- +14% ($112,860)
- Rank among states
- 6 of 45
- Jobs in the state
- 3,020
Pay range in California
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,460; the top 10% earn over $183,880. Nationally the range is $72,300 to $175,720.
States ranked near California
Similar jobs in California
- Materials Scientists$177,030 median in California
- Aerospace Engineers$157,620 median in California
- Nanosystems Engineers$130,850 median in California (broader BLS group)
- Automotive Engineers$130,900 median in California (broader BLS group)
- Validation Engineers$124,600 median in California (broader BLS group)
- Microsystems Engineers$130,850 median in California (broader BLS group)
Materials Engineers pay in California
How much do materials engineers make in California?
The median is $128,470 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,460 and the top 10% earn over $183,880. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is California a good state for materials engineers?
On pay alone it ranks 6 of 45 (+14% vs. the national median of $112,860). Living costs are not included.